"Will" or "Would"?

In my understanding, while talking about future whether to use "would" or "will" depends on our perception and subjective.

If you are confident about something you can use 'will' instead of 'would' and, use 'would' if you are less confident about something( while talking about future).

For instance,

Egypt has decided to build a new city near Cairo, that city will create more jobs

( It means we are sure that city is going to be constructed and at the same moment ,it is going to create more jobs-100% confident that it will happen).

Egypt has decided to build a new city near Cairo, that city would create more jobs

( Not sure about the job creation because of unreliable government , and happens only if everything goes well- it means, only if government makes city and creates more job).

It would be great if someone could help me on above regards, I am totally going insane on this 'would' and 'will' confusion.

Pradhan Kiran

Posted 2015-03-25T13:18:56.970

Reputation: 59

7I think it's "over-analysis" to suppose using *would* rather than *will* in this context is a reasonable way of indicating doubt about whether the action will in fact take place. If Egypt *has decided*, it's something they *will do*, and any associated consequences *will follow*. You'd only use *would* in a more overtly "hypothetical scenario" construction such as *Egypt is considering building a new city that would create more jobs*. – FumbleFingers Reinstate Monica – 2015-03-25T15:48:28.980

4I also doubt that many if any native speakers would draw any such inference from a context where either verb form would be equally acceptable *(Egypt wants to build a new city that will/would create new jobs)*. It's really not much more than a meaningless stylistic choice there. – FumbleFingers Reinstate Monica – 2015-03-25T15:51:51.083

So in your opinion both are correct, and it all depends on our perception?? – Pradhan Kiran – 2015-03-26T23:17:20.917

I've no idea what you mean by "correct". I could, for example, say "Last century, Fleming made a discovery that would change the course of history" (it already has). Or "Guy Fawkes conceived a plan that would change the course of history" (but in fact it never will). We wouldn't ordinarily use *will* in either of those contexts, but it would be perfectly "correct" - if that's what you wanted to say (that the current future will be changed by the past).

– FumbleFingers Reinstate Monica – 2015-03-27T00:06:18.470

Answers

They are both correct! In the first one you said

Egypt has decided to make new city near Cairo, that city will create more jobs

I think you meant:

Egypt has decided to make a new city near Cairo, that city will create more jobs

Maxie_Z

Posted 2015-03-25T13:18:56.970

Reputation: 21

When I hear (or use) "would" as a form of "to be" for future tense, I always use it not based on the chance of the event happening, but on a pre-condition coming true. To use your example, for a future, unconditional, event, I will simply use "will".

Egypt has decided to build new city near Cairo. It will create more jobs.

On the other hand, if we were to make the new city a condition of new jobs, I would (see how it works? :) ) use your second form

If Egypt decides to build a new city near Cairo, that city would create more jobs

Hope this helps!

Prashant

Posted 2015-03-25T13:18:56.970

Reputation: 736

Thanks heaps. I've realised that if we use 'would' instead of 'will' for future tense that means there needs to be some conditional whether you mention it or not in your sentence.

For example: -That would be awesome (only if some condition fullfilled) -That will be awesome ( no condition needed)

I mean its like using could/might for future probability. Am I right? ? – Pradhan Kiran – 2015-09-28T04:06:40.493

Please click on the check-mark next to my answer. Also if you agree +1 it. Thanks! – Prashant – 2015-09-30T00:17:09.083

Hi Prashant, There is one more small silly confusion. Is it ok to use "would' for present probability instead of 'could'. For example, I am in Barber and he asks me for which number (for machine)..I am still confuse and say that "no 1 should be alright"(not sure)..can I say "no 1 would be alright (not sure)" or "no 1 could be alright (not sure)".. – Pradhan Kiran – 2015-10-03T05:44:40.650

@PradhanKiran would give a direct answer to a direct question. e.g. "Please go with number 1, Thank you." There no probability. Does that make sense? Also, if this answer worked for you, please click the tick mark next to my answer if you don't mind, that helps others looking for similar issues. – Prashant – 2015-10-03T18:59:09.690

Cool!! But it was just small confusion that whether 'would' is used for present probability, instead of 'could' or 'might'. I mean in other sense we are not sure about something, for example one girl come to me and ask for good wine and just says 'do you think that would be nice ??'. (Actually I had this real situation and girl was asking me for good wine ) – Pradhan Kiran – 2015-10-05T00:08:20.337